The Employer and the Union both recognize it is in the best interest of all parties to maintain a safe work place, and that begins with relevant safety education culture. In recognition of this, the Union will facilitate a safety training program for the benefit of its members being “Ready for Work”. Such training will include, but will not be limited to: WHMIS, hearing test, basic fall arrest, and CSTS for BC. Upon the first anniversary date of the Agreement, (May 22, 2017), the Union will not dispatch any members who do not hold the current certifications listed above and all current employees will be required to obtain these same certifications.

How do I get these certificates?

WHMIS 2015 is available online through the Western Jets Website http://wjets.ca/training/training-online/ (set a username and password and login on WJETS website then goto Online Training). When you are logged into WJETS and click Online Training there are further instructions highlighted in green on how to get on to the VU Biz Site where the training is (at the vubiz site there are multiple versions of WHIMS listed, we need WHIMS 2015) When you are done, if you go back to the course listing you will see a “certificate” button next to the course. Go into that to print and/or save a copy of the certificate. Then you need to get a copy to the hall for filing.

Basic Fall Protection Awareness is available online through the Western Jets website http://wjets.ca/training/training-online/ (set a username and password and login on WJETS website then goto Online Training) When you are logged into WJETS and click Online Training, there are further instructions highlighted in green on how to get on to the VU Biz Site where the training is. When you are done, if you go back to the course listing you will see a “certificate” button next to the course. Go into that to print and/or save a copy of the certificate. Then you need to get a copy to the hall for filing.

Hearing tests are available free of charge to all IBEW members, simply make an appointment at your local hearing clinic that provides industrial hearing tests and identify yourself as an IBEW Electrician and give them the following worksafe number: 762041 ***note: this number has recently changed and you must use the new number.

In the West Kootenays, go to Kootenay Hearing Aid and Audilogy Clinic 250-304-2003 for Castlegar and 250-368-8668 for Trail. You’ll have to call ahead and make an appointment. You need to get a copy of the resulting WorksafeBC card to the Hall for filing.

In the East Kootenays there is no qualified industrial audiologist. We are arranging for a mobile testing van to come to Cranbrook to take care of our East Kootenay members. You will be contacted by the training department to set you up with an appointment when all is arranged. If you are getting your hearing tests through your current employer you need to get us a copy of your Worksafe BC card for filing.

CSTS -(Construction Safety Training System) Due to the IBEWs membership with BC Construction Safety Association all IBEW members receive CSTS free of charge. If you don’t already have this certification, please contact your local business office for registration. When the training coordinator registers you he will give you a username and password. You then go to http://bccsa.t2platform.com/ and use the student login with the username and password he gave you. Then click on “Begin or Continue your Training Courses”. Then click on CSTS-09. That should get in to your course. When you complete this course the certificate will be sent to the Hall and we will file one copy and mail one to you.

*Note:CSTS-09 will NOT work on a mobile phone or tablet.

What about my existing certificates?

Your existing certificates in most cases are all that are required. Please contact your local business office to be sure your current certificates are on file.